Panaji: Good fruits are sometimes best ripened by staying onthe tree a little longer. Nobody knows this better thanSporting Clube de Goa, and that's one reason why several oftheir junior players, or those who are part of the reserves,are allowed to move over to ‘neighbouring’ PanjimFootballers, grow up and then return home.

Last season, when Panjim Footballers made their debut in theGoa Pro League and finished a lowly ninth, not many eyebrowswere raised. The club did manage to achieve its goal, ofreadying players for bigger clubs, and Sporting's decision tosign seven of their players was proof that coach Savio Vazhad got some things right.

"It's difficult for us to start building a new team eachseason but our aim is to produce players. That's what we didlast year, and that remains our goal this year too. Ofcourse, it will be nice to finish a bit higher. We aretargeting a place among the top five," said Vaz, who was withSporting Clube juniors for four years before beingtransplanted to Panjim Footballers.

Panjim Footballers surprised many by their decision to signforeign players last season. They were among the few teams toenjoy that luxury with the inclusion of Egyptian midfielderFady Riad and Alphonse Shako from Congo. Both are unlikely toreturn to the club, and Vaz will have to launch a challengewith players of their own.

"I want my team to play good football. I want them to gainthe necessary experience of playing in the top-tier. Theyknow there are rewards for a good performance. The big teamsare all watching us play, and should anyone impress, they canmove up," said Vaz, who has coached teams like CurtorimGymkhana, Margao Sports Club and Wilred Leisure in the past.

There are inspiring stories. Clive Miranda and SchubertD'Costa who were with Panjim Footballers last season are nowfirst choice centre-back pairing for Sporting Clube. AkerajMartins has also moved up the ranks, while Gurpreet Singh andGautam Dias has also found favour.

This season, Vaz is confident that many more will catch theeye. For example, players like Dattaraj B, Trijoy Costa andPrasil Kankonkar, all from Sporting juniors, know they needto make a mark and return to where they belong. Others toohave similar ambitions.

"Last year we had a young squad, mostly under-20 players,except for a few exceptions and the two foreign players. Thisyear, it will be different, surely," said Vaz.

The results have been there too. Victories against FC Goareserves and Calangute Association have been encouraging,while two draws against Sporting suggest Panjim Footballerswill be far more competitive than last season.